Noble Definition

Source (google.com.pk)

Lee Noble is a British entrepreneur, car designer and engineer. He is the founder of the sports car companies Noble Automotive Ltd in 1999 and Fenix Automotive in 2009. He is also the designer of some low-volume sports cars, including the Ultima Mk1, Ultima Mk2, Ultima Mk3, Midtec Spyder, and Ascari FGT. His designs have also been further developed beyond Noble's involvement, resulting in successful designs such as the Ultima GTR, Ascari Ecosse, Rossion and designs such as the Salica GT.which has never made production. Noble’s basic theme for designing sports cars is to start with a lightweight space frame, have a big powerful engine and an aerodynamic sports-racer body. Almost all the cars Noble has designed have been mid-engined which makes his cars notable for good handling.

Noble started Noble Automotive after he finished his involvement with Ascari, a manufacturer of supercars with a commensurately high price and small market. Lee Noble’s passion is to achieve something closer to everyman price levels, so Noble Automotive set out to build a relatively affordable but still really fast car. To sell cars in the hundreds or thousands per year, build costs need to be low, and quality needs to be high. As a result, Noble does much of its basic manufacturing in South Africa. The core body/chassis assemblies are shipped from South Africa to England, where Noble installs the drivetrain (for the European market) and does final tests. Noble left Noble Automotive in the spring of 2008 and created his new current company, Fenix Automotive in late 2009. Lee Noble is also involved in design of Arrinera supercar that will be produced in Poland. The M400 is the track variant of the M12. The power to weight ratio is a massive 400.9 bhp per ton, hence it's name M400. That figure eclipses many a supercar. It has 425 bhp (317 kW; 431 PS) and has been reported to do 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h) in as little as 2.97 seconds. Car and Driver (March, 2007) achieved a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 7.52 seconds. Although often listed as 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, the M400 generally comes in at 3.2 seconds according to various publications and generally listed amongst the fastest accelerative cars. Noble indicates only that the car is capable of achieving 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. Its top speed is listed as 185 mph (300 km/h). A top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h) has been achieved by Noble's former press officer. Lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.2. It has both a 3 point seatbelt and a 5 point harness.

The most notable differences from the M12 are the use of forged pistons, T28 turbos, a front anti-roll bar, stiffer springs, different shocks, Pirelli P Zero tyres, a smoother gear shifter, and a slightly narrower central tunnel as the driver now sits a bit more central than previous models. Exterior differences remain subtle. The colour scheme tends to incorporate anthracite (Gris) wheels, rear wing supports and wing ends but some examples maintain silver wheels and supports. The front splitter is now removed (Although many owners opt to have this put on). The main change is the addition of side pods to enhance air into the system and to create a visual impact. Air conditioning is now an £1,995 option and adds to the weight. The interior has an added oil gauge that resides next to the boost one. Additionally the sparco alcantara seats and finishings differ to the other Noble's (Alcantara is one third the weight of leather). The Noble M400 won the car of the year award in 2005 for one publication. The M400 is designed to be an outstanding track car that is also pleasant to drive on the road. With just 75 examples made (UK/Europe) this version is sought after and rare.